Graham Potter looking dejected during a West Ham match
(Credit: Imago)
Rahul Lakhani
Sat 23 August 2025 20:10, UK
West Ham were bitterly disappointing as they were thrashed 5-1 by Chelsea in their first home game of the Premier League season.
The London Stadium was emptying out by the 60th minute as West Ham were beaten by Chelsea in embarrassing fashion, and Graham Potter is facing heavy criticism.
West Ham’s defending was abysmal, and the Hammers conceded several goals from set-pieces as they got the basics completely wrong.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Jean-Clair Todibo were particularly poor, but Potter must now make a ruthless decision to drop one of their teammates if West Ham are to improve quickly.
West Ham manager Graham Potter anxiously watches on from the dugout
Potter is under pressure after West Ham lost their first two games (Credit: Imago)
Mads Hermansen criticised after West Ham disaster
West Ham recently signed goalkeeper Mads Hermansen from Leicester following their relegation from the Premier League, and he went straight into the starting XI.
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Despite having no pre-season with the Hammers, Hermansen started but was poor against Sunderland, and he kept his place against Chelsea.
His home debut could not have gone any worse, with Hermansen responsible for several of the set-piece goals West Ham conceded.
Mads Hermansen’s 2024/25 Premier League statistics Total
Appearances 27
Clean sheets 1
Goals conceded per game 2.1
Hermansen was relegated with Leicester last season
Hermansen has now conceded eight goals in his two West Ham games so far, failing to even remotely impress, and Jamie Redknapp called for him to be dropped already after the Chelsea defeat.
“The goalkeeper doesn’t make it any easier, he’s having a really difficult time,” Redknapp stated on Sky Sports at full-time.
“He comes out and flaps at one just after half-time. He probably needs to be changed, because he’s not come here full of confidence and he’s already made some high-profile mistakes.
“Areola at least has some experience. I look at him [Hermansen] right now and think he needs a little bit of a rest. He’s already conceded so many goals. He doesn’t fill the goal with any confidence right now.”
Graham Potter must drop Mads Hermansen
Potter must now make the ruthless decision to drop Hermansen, less than two weeks after he joined and after just two matches.
Hermansen’s confidence is completely shot, and this will spread to the rest of the defence if he cannot command his goal well.
With West Ham desperate to improve results, they cannot afford to throw away points in helping Hermansen develop for now, and a spell away from the spotlight while the team is struggling could benefit the goalkeeper.
Alphonse Areola had a disappointing campaign last season, but his experience could be vital as West Ham prepare for a tough run of fixtures and a potential relegation battle.
Given the pressure Potter is already under, it is not hyperbolic to suggest the Englishman’s future could well depend on whether or not he drops Hermansen next week.
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